Molding-machine.



No. 781,961. PATENTED FEB. 7, 1905. W. L. MERSFBLDER.

MOLDING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED AUG. 11. 1904.

No. 781,961. PATENTBD FEB. 7, 1905. W. L. MERSPELDER.

MOLDING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED AUG.11, 1904.

3 SEEETS-SHEET 2.

3M1}, WW4 6717? W f W? No. 781,961. PATENTED FEB. '7, 1905. W. L. MBRSFELDER.

MOLDING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED AUG. 11, 1904.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

Patented February 7, 1905.

NITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

\VILLIAM L. MERSFELDER, OF NORIVOOD, OHIO, ASSIGNOR TO THE LOUIS LIPP COMPANY, OF CINCINNATI, OHIO, A CORPORATION OF OHIO.

MOLDING-MACHINE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 781,961, dated February 7, 1905.

Application filed August 11,1904- Serial No. 220,319.

Be it known that I, \VILLLUI L. Mnusrnn- DER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Norwood, in the county of Hamilton and State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Molding-Machines; and I do declare the following to be a clear, full, and exact description thereof, attention being called to the accompanying three sheets of drawings, with the reference characters marked thereon, which form also a part of this specification.

This invention relates to devices to assist in preparing molds such as are used for producing articles from cast metal.

It relates more particularly to apparatus for making molds formed out of sand by means of patterns and where these molds are used for casting articles which by reason of being hollow and of limited thickness of metal are of comparatively little weight in proportion to their size and bulk. Kettles, pots, troughs, tanks, bath-tubs, &c., are articles here in view, and my invention is illustrated in connection with the formation of molds forcasting bath-tubs out of cast-iron. The complementary parts of the mold for such an article are quite heavy by reason of the large quantity of sand required as compared with the limited space occupied by the pattern orcasting, and various means and devices have been provided whereby the patterns and the flasks within which the mold is formed and thereafter inclosed and held, and also the completed mold after its complementary parts are assembled, may be readily and conveniently handled and moved, and whereby also the patterns may be safely Withdrawn from the sand without injury to the molds.

Under the present practice as it prevails in foundries such articles as bath-tubs are cast in an inverted position-that is, with the bottom up. The complementary parts of a mold are accordingly formed and placedthat is, the upper or cope part of the mold is hollow or concave and envelops or cups over the drag part of the mold, which is convex and reaches up into the former,filling the same completely,

less the space reserved by the pattern for the mold which receives the metal. Two patterns are furthermore used, one side only of each serving, so that the opposite sides of the mold are formed each against an individual pattern, one pattern producing the shape of one side of the casting, which may be the outside, while the other produces the other side,which may be the inside. The principle is that of molding against a match-plate, which latter is a device to which on opposite sides the two patterns are titted and at which they meet, so that being supported each in its requisite flask while they are being filled with sand for forming the mold and with a part of the pattern reaching into the flask a proper lit and match of the complementary parts of the completed mold at its parting-line is assured.

\Vith these preliminaries in view my invention relates, broadly considered, to instrumentalitieswhichassistincarryingoutthepro eedu re outlined above and which embrace devices for-supporting the complementary parts of a mold while being prepared and the means used for such purpose, comprising the patterns and requisite flasks and devices for separating the pattern from the sand of the mold after this latter is prepared.

More specifically considered, my invention relates to devices where a stripper-plate is used in a manner to assume in part the functions of a match-plate by serving to support a flask and together with the pattern supports also the sand out of which one (a complementary) part ota mold is formed, the point of support being at the parting-line ot' the mold, so that when the other complementary part of the same mold is formed while supported at the same point on a device of the same shape a proper lit and meeting of the two parts of the mold is assured. An independent device supports the pattern in proper position with reference to the parting-line ot' the mold and is so arranged and supported as to be capable of a movement in a vertical direction independent t'rom the device lirst mentioned on which the mold and its flask are supported, the object of this independent movement of tion for casting.

this latter pattern-supporting device from its.

normal position with reference to the partingline being to separate this pattern from the sand of the mold after this latter is formed. lVIy invention consists of certain means and mechanism for obtaining this movement and of certain improvements in features of construction in general and in detail and all necessary for producing a practical implement for the purpose intended.

In the following specification, and particularly pointed out in the claims following,'is found a full description of the invention, together with its manipulation, parts, and construction, which latter is also illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which Figures 1 and 2 show in cross-section, taken about midway between the ends, the complementary parts of a mold for casting a bathtub, the first figure showing the upper or cope part of the mold and the other showing the lower or drag part thereof. Fig. 3 in a similar view shows these two complementary parts placed on each other and connected together to form the mold complete. Fig. 4 in a similar view shows the implement contemplated by my invention used while the copemold, as shown in Fig. 1, is prepared, it supporting this mold and also the flask and pattern used for its preparation. Fig. 5 in a similar view, the cross-section being, however, taken at a point somewhat closer to the observer, shows my implement used to separate the pattern from the mold after this latter has been completed. Fig. 6 shows these conditions in a central longitudinal section, mold and pattern having been separated by the lowering of this latter by means of my implement away from under the mold and this latter being now ready for removal in posi- Fig. 7shows my implement in side elevation with parts broken away and in a condition as it appears in Fig. 6 after the completed mold has been taken away. Fig. 8 shows a top view of my implement as it appears in the preceding figure, parts being broken away. Fig. 9 is a top View of the bedplate of the implement and mechanism thereon, it being substantially a horizontal section at a plane below the preceding figure. Fig. 10 is a cross-section similar to Fig. 4 and shows my implement somewhat modified and also arranged to be used in connection withthe drag-mold shown in Fig. 2 and while the same is prepared.

In order to enable me to better explain my invention, I show in Figs. 1 and 2 the complementary parts of a mold and in Fig. 3 the same completed, although such a mold and the flasks thereof, being the mere receptacle to hold the sand, form no part of my invention.

A is the upper or cope mold, the sand out of which it is formed being contained in the copeformed in one piece, as shown, or if of considerable height it may be composed of two parts, in which case a cheek-flask would be used in connection therewith. B is the lower or drag mold, its sand being contained in the drag-flask b and sustained by a customary follow-board. This flask has a flange b, which is fittedto meet flange a of the upper flask, whereat when the two parts of the mold are brought together they may be connected to each other in the usual way by clamps, whereby the mold is completed, as shown in Fig. 3, and ready to receive the molten metal. Each of these two complementary mold parts A and B is formed separately, there being a pattern for each, A being the pattern for the cope-mold and B is the one for the drag-mold. They are identical, however, and therefore constitute practically one pattern; but by so using two facsimile patterns and by using one side only of one pattern for one mold and the other side for the other mold these two patterns may remain in position, thus doing away with the repeated handling and turning over which would otherwise be necessary if only one pattern would be used. In this case the outside of pattern A is used for the copemold and the inside of pattern B for the drag mold, the two sides being complementary to each other and together produce the effect of a complete pattern in one piece. It may be mentioned here that for filling the sand into the drag-flask and its pattern the position is a different one from that which this mold occupies after completion and when placed in position with the other mold for casting, it being reversed for such purpose from the position shown in Fig. 10 to one shown in Figs. 2 and 3. This manipulation of the completed molds and movement in position for casting, which is by suitable lifting devices, cranes, derricks, overhead trolleys, &c., has, however, no further bearing on my invention, which latter concerns only an implement which supports patterns and their flasks while these latter receive the sand out of which a mold is formed and which implement after the sand isrammed home serves also to separate the pattern from the completed sand mold within its flask.

I/Vhere conditions as to height and depth of the two parts of a mold and their flasks permit itthat is, where there is no considerable variation one implement may be used for the cope and drag mold. In the present case, however, the cope-flask being much higher than the drag-flask, it is preferable to have two implements, one for each flask, rather than provide in one for the extended adjustment and movement, which would be necessary for changing the implement each time for use from one flask to another.

In the drawings, with the exception of Fig. 10, and in this description I show my implement as arranged for use in connection with the cope rnold A, its flask 0, and pattern A. The meeting flanges 11' and b of the two flasks which compose the inclosure of the completed mold are of course exactly alike, and said flasks at these flanges are supported upon part (I of my implement, which part is also litted to these flanges, so that a proper corresponding shape and fit is assured when the opposite separately-formed parts of the mold after each is completed come together. The parting of the mold being thus made at this member U, this latter assumes as to this particular function the function in part of a match-plate, while otherwise it acts as a customary strip per-plate. WVhere for convenience and reasons previously alluded to two of these implements are used in the equipment of a foundry, one for the cope and one for the drag-mold, the stripper-plate for this latter, as shown in Fig. 10, would of course be exactly like the stripper-plate of theimplement used for the cope-mold.

The patterns A and B are supported on a platform I), to which where two implements are used they are each permanently secured, and they are held by means of these platforms at such a height that the parting-line of the pattern is in proper position with reference to the parting-line of the mold as defined by stripper-plate C. This parting-line E of the mold and pattern is located in this case so as to correspond to the free edge 1: of the curled flange of the bath-tub. (See particularly Figs. l and 10.) ith flasks and patterns in position as indicated the former are now ready to receive the sand out of which the molds are formed and provided with the pouring-gates in the usual Way. A fter completion of a mold the same is separated from its pattern by moving one away from the other, the separation being secured by dropping the pattern away from under the sand mold, as shown in Figs. 5, 6, and 7, no separation taking place at this time and for this particular purpose between the flanges of the flask and the stripperplate. After such separation from the pattern the completed mold is lifted olf from the implement and moved in position with another mold to receive the casting. For so dropping the pattern platforms D are lowered in each case by means and mechanism to be presently explained, and they are accordingly supported to permit such lowering and subsequent raising.

In this explanation I refer only to the implement for preparing the cope-mold, since the arrangement in the implement for the drag-111old, as shown in Fig. 10, would be exactly the same. The principal difference between the two implements is that in the one for the drag-mold the stripper-plate C in its normal position is at a greater distance above platform L), due to the fact that this dragmold is a convex mold and the pattern projects to its full depth outside of the flask.

Before platforms Dare lowered the pattern is rapped in each case to loosen it from the sand. The device for this purpose consists in each case of a knocker-arm 15, mounted on a shaft 16, su1')ported in bearings 17on the under side of the platform. By rocking this shaft by means of a handle 18 (preferably detachable) the knocker is caused to strike against'flangcs 19, thus vibrating the platform and with it the pattern. By arranging these flanges 19 obliquely to thedirection of the motion of the knocker these vibrations will be both in a transverse and longitudinal direction. Platform 1) rests on a number of collapsible props 20, there being four used, each consisting of two parts toggle-jointed together and hingedly connected at their upper ends to the under side of platform D and at their lower ends to the bed-frame 21. These props at the point where the two parts of each are jointed together are all connected to a drop-frame .22, so that by moving this.drop-frame all props are simultaneously affected for dropping or arising platform I). This d rop-frame is moved by means of a link 23, connected to an arm 24, mounted on a shaft 25, supported in bearings 26 on the bed-frame. At its outer end this shaft has a lever-arm 27, so that by rocking shaft .25 drop-frame 22 may be moved in either direction, thus collapsing or straightening the props to lower or raise platform 1). A lock is provided to hold frame against movement and the props against collapse while the platform is up during the time the mold is formed. A stop is also provided to limit these movements, so as to prevent platformD from dropping to a greater depth than necessary, since only a separation and fair clearance of the pattern from the sand is necessary at this time. These means consist of a disk 28 at the end of shaft 25, which is provided with notches operating in conjunction with a spring-actuated locking-dog 29. As shown in Fig. '7, the platform I) is dropped and held by dog 29 engaging notch 31. To raise the platform, lever 27 is moved in direction of the arrow until dog 2%) snaps into notch 32, whereby the platform is held in its elevated position. The dog is released from the notches by stepping on its heel 33. In addition 1 provide positive stops limiting motion in either direction and consisting of a lug 3%, arranged so as to move against either one of two stops These stops are adjustable, for which purpose they consist each of a screw mounted in lugs 36. To steady the platform during these vertical adjustments and hold it to a straight movement, I provide guides 37, which depend from its under side and are litted to move in and out of sockets in the bed-frame. Stripper-plate O, which has to fit accurately against and around the pattern, is the most IIO important part to be kept in proper condition. To provide, therefore, for its independent repair, replacement, or renewal, it may be formed of an independent member, as shown in Fig. 10, where it is shown as detachably secured to a supporting-frame 88. This stripper-plate or the support on which it rests may also be vertically adjustable with reference to the normal-that is, highestposition of platform D, so that the partingline as defined by the upper surface of this stripper-plate comes always in exact alinement with the parting-line on the pattern. For such purpose this stripper-plate or a frame which may support it rests on screwposts 39, which' with their lower ends rest on the bed-frame 21. One end of each is threaded and fitted into a correspondinglythreaded socket 411, while their other ends are loosely fitted for rotation, so that by turning said posts they are caused to move in or out of their sockets, thus raising or lowering the stripper-plate. Lock-nuts 42 are provided to secure the adjusted positions.

Having described my invention, 1 claim as new 1. In a molding-machine, the combination of a stripper-plate adapted to support a mold and its flask, a pattern fitted to it, a platform upon which this pattern is secured, a bedframe, collapsible props for supporting the platform thereon, they consisting each of two parts pivotally jointed to each other at one of their ends, their free ends being secured to respectively the platform and the bed-frame, a rectangular drop-frame jointed to all the props, connecting to them at the points where the two parts of each are jointed to each other, a rock-shaft supported on the bedframe, an arm mounted on it, a linkconnecting it to the drop-frame and an operatinglever on this rock-shaft.

2. In a molding-machine, the combination of a bed-frame, a stripper-plate supported above the same, a pattern fitted to it, a platform upon which this pattern is secured, collapsible props whereby this platform is supported on the bed-frame, a rock-shaft supported on this latter, an operating-lever and notched disk mounted thereon, a spring-actuated locking-clog adapted to engage either one of the notches in the disk, a lug projecting from the edge of this latter, adjustable stops between which the movement of this lug is limited and means whereby the props mentioned are operatively connected to the rockshaft for simultaneous manipulation.

3. In a molding-machine, the combination of a stripper-plate, adapted to support a mold and its flask, a pattern fitted to it, a platform upon which this pattern is secured, means for moving the platform with reference to the stripper-plate to separate the pattern from the mold, a rock-shaft carried on the under side of the platform, a rapper-arm on the inner end of this shaft, a slot provided in the platform into which this arm projects so that its movements are thereby limited, said slot being arranged at an angle to the direction of these movements and an operating-handle to manipulate this rock-shaft.

Signed at Cincinnati, Hamilton county, Ohio, this 8th day of August, 1904:.

WILLIAM L. MERSFELDER.

In presence of- C. SPENGEL, ARTHUR KLINE. 

